Theater stage



June 30, 1925.

M. HASAIT THEATER STAGE Filed May 25 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 30, 1925 M. HASAIT THEATER STAGE Filed May 26 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 12 9'. ZzA

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. M. HASAIT I THEATER STAGE Filed May 26, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 fig. 5 I f\ f'\ 0 Al 5 59 V 3 V 5: Z J? a 1' g .51 C l 55 A jb' '22 45f F 25 !i 25 v W I 4 I I I I 2 E 1/ jim June 30,1925- 1,544,150 M. HASAIT THEATER STAGE Filed May 26 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 i atented June 3%, 1925.

UNlTE STATES.

titties MAX HASAIT, 0.1? DIR-E513. 'ElIN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR T AKTIEBOLAGET ABS, OF I STQCKHQLM; SWEEJEN, A QQBEQB-ATIQN.

THEATER STAGE.

Application filed May 26, 1921. Serial No. 472,776.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, MAX Hasnrr, subject of Germany, residing at Dresden, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Tmprovemen-t in or Relating to Theater Stages, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a stage-floor composed of carriages adapted to be raised and lowered by means of supporting frames. By the aid of this stage-floor scene-shifting may be effected very rapidly and a large number of different sceneries' may be prepared before the beginning of the performance without the inconvenience connected with rotary stages wherein the scenery has to be placed upon and adjusted exactly the stage. The defects incident to the stages hitherto known which comprise carriages are that, when using curved screens or curtains, these have to be removed, in order that the carriages may be transported sideways to the fore. When using carriages adapted to be raised and lowered in welllmown manner by. means of supporting frames,'the scene-shifting has to be delayed until a carriagehas been moved to the side from V the supporting frame and brought down into, a lower area and another carriage has been brought forward to. the frame and then raised to the normal stage level. Such scene-shiftings take a very long time and are especially inconvenient during the performanceof an opera.

To obviate this disadvantage a bracketshaped supporting frame is disposed inconnection with the present stagefloor and adapted to be raised and lowered on separate sliding guides; Further the carriages are so. a .nged that they together with jacks resting on the supporting frames may be raised to all levels customary in the stage and by means thereof'bridges or other supports raised above or lowered beneath the ""mai stage level may bea anged in short e. in, all; these operations the scenery, even the most complicated constructions,

i may be placed beforehand on the carriages.

. 'An embodiment of the invention is illustrated diagrammatically n the accompanying drawl gs, in which sere' a e t cal sect on. of he was end of a theatre provided with a stage-floor according to the invention;

Figure .2 is a section of the left half of the stage taken at right angles to Fig. l and viewed in a direction looking towards the auditorium.

Fig. is a corresponding section of the right half of the stage. i

Figures 3. to 5 illustrate certain details of the device.

Fig. 6 is an elevational detail of the lifting cable arrangement for the vertical movable. frame.

7 is a plan view of the Windlass, and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic detail of the olectro-magnetic brake.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the normal stage. level, 2 the proscenium,

opening, 0. the accommodation for the orchestra and d a spectator in the front seat of the stalls. In the lower area, 5. designates a fore compartment situated beneath the proscenium opening, 6 lateral compartments and 7 a rear compartment; Arranged on the normal stage level are lateral compartments 8 and a rear compartment 9. In the upper area is a fore compartment 10 situated above the proscenium opening. 11, 12, 13, 1 1,15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 21 are carriages adapted to be placed side by side with their upper surfaces forming the stage-floor, and adapted to be moved separately or in groups towards the proscenium opening or to the sides into and out of the lateral compartments 8. The carriages are also adapted to be lowered into the lower area and in similar manner to be moved into and out of the lower compartments as well as, when raised on a level with the compartment 10 of the upper area, to be moved into and out of said compartment. The upper surfaces of the carriages are on a level with the stagefloor situated close to the carriages in certain places.

The movement of the carriages from the lower areato the stage-floor and vice versa is effected by means of supporting frames 22, 28 and 2d, preferably in the form of framework, said frames being raised and lowered by means of hydraulic pistons 25. The carriage 11; to be raised. from the stage level to the compartment 10 of the upper area is lifted by the aid of a bracket-shaped frame 26, the movements of which are effected in a special manner without direct action of hydraulic power.

The frame 26 is connected with and supported by cables 27 running in lateral guides 28. guiding the frame.

Counterweights 29 keep the frame against the guides 28. Counterweights 30 are provided for balancing the frame 26 and the load carried thereon. The cables 27 are fixed at one end to the frame 26 and pass around guide rollers 31 to the counterweights 30 to which the other ends of the cables are fixed. Other cables 27* are attached to the lower ends of the counterweights 30 and pass over rollers 32, 33 and pulleys 34 to the drum 35, where the ends of the cables 27 are fixed. A third cable 27 is fixed between the drum 35 and the frame 22. By the aid of this arrangement scene-shifting may be effected very rapidly without necessitating the removal of the curve cyclorama curtain. Before the commencement of the performance the frame 26is positioned so that the carriage 11 supported thereon together with the scenery upon it are on the normal stage level, while the frame 22 with the carriages 12 and 13, on which the next scene is arranged, is lowered into the lower area. As the scene is shifted, the frame 22 with the carriages 12 and 13 are raised to the stage level while the cables lift the frame 26 with the carriage 11 to a level of the compartment. 10. The cables are so adjusted that the carriages 1.2, 13 and 11 reach their proper positions simultaneously. In this manner the scene-shifting may be effected withina minute. In its uppermost position the frame 26 is located high enough to be out of the line of sight of the occupants of the front seats of the stalls. If scene-shifting is to be effected without moving the frame 26, for instance in such a manner that the frame 22 with the carriages 12 and 13 are to be lowered, and the carriages 14: and 15' moved forward to the proscenium opening, while the counterweights 30 together with the remaining part of the cables are held fast. Consequently by lowering the frame 22 the cables 27 and 27 will be wound up on the drums 35 and 35", while the counterweights 30 are at rest. Then the carriages 1a and 15 are moved forward to the place left by the carriage 22.

The sideward movement of the carriages in relation to the longitudinal direction of the stage is effected by means of rails 36 placed on the one hand on the top of the frames and on the otherhand in the lateral compartments, the carriages being provided with wheels 37 running on said rails.

The movement of the carriages 12, 13, 1-1, 15 in the longitudinal direction of the stage is effected by means of rails 38 which, in order to permit the lowering and raising of the carriages, are movable to and fro at right angles to the last-named direction of movement of the carriages. Said motion to and fro of the rails 38 can be attained by any suitable mechanical means as for instance rack and wheel. lVhen the carriages have been brought to the proper level, the rails 38 aremoved forward so that the wheels 39 on the carriages 19/"15 can run on the rails 38. The intermediate carriages 10 are for instance constructed similarly to the carriages 11, 12, 13 etc. and located be.- tween the stage and the lateral compartments 8, the intermediate carriages 40, as shown in Figure 2, being adapted to be lowered, so as to make the movement ofthe carriages 11, 12, 13 etc. into and out of the lateral compartments possible. I The vertical movements of the carriages 40 are effected by any suitable means as for instance as electric motor with cables and rollers. The spaces 11 between the fixed rails ofthe lateral compartments and the rails of i the frames may be passed freely by'the carriages by said spaces being shorter than the distance between the wheels of the pairs of 1 wheels 37 at the ends of the carriages. In the 1 wer area the intermediate carriages may be replaced by girders 42 adapted to be. turned up and down to permit the passage of the cross-girders 43 of the frames.

The frames may be raised and lowered to levels above and below the normal stage level and, if desired, scenery may be placed on the same. As will appear from Figures 2 and 2 the hydraulic pistons 25 are so positioned as not to interfere with the movement of the carriages in the direction of length of the stage. In the lateral compartments 8 at the ends of the rows of carriages supplementary carriages 14 may be disposed which, in case of a complete row of carriages, in order to save room, maybe pushed up in to an inclined position on curved rails 15 and, after a carriage has been pushed out of the row, may again be moved downwards to complete the same. In the lower area the movement of the carriages in the direction of length which endless cables 49 guided by rollers 50 may run. The cables are fixed to the ends of the frames and cross each other from the one end to the other in such manner that they prevent the jamming of the frames frames. The cable 49 runs from the ends of the frame 2-2 or 23, Fig. 2 over the upper roller and thelower roller 50, from there over the drum 28g Fig; 2 up to. the ends of frame 22 01723, over the upper roller 50, the lower roller 50, from there over the drum 48, Fig. 2*, up again to the ends of the frame.

In Figures 3, t and 5, numerals 51 design nate jaclrs adapted tobe placed on the frames and-to serve as supports for the carriages in such a manner that the latter may be raised above or lowered below thenor-mal stage level or inclined relatively to the san e. Tothis end the jacks are provided inside with towers 52' o the; like capable of being raised and lowered and: movable by means lifting; devicesoilyconnected at one end to the frame and at the other end to the towers 52' and arranged as shown in- Fig ure 5. The towers may be provided with rails 54 on which the carriages together with the scenery placed on the same may '"run, or the towers may be interconnected by means of a stationary supporting plate. If desired, the raising and lowering of the towers may be effected from the upper area. The movement of the towers be pen formed by moving the frame 22 in anysuitable way, for instance i i-leans of hydraulic power as shown in ld i 5' orbyelectric motor. If a carriage isto be placed at an angle to the. level as shown Figure 4, only one lack is used which is secured to the frame. lhis maybe etlected by the; aid of tongues placed on the frame. The one end of the carriage is lifted bya jac-lrbei ng p aced underneath it onthe frame wh .h is then raised. The point 55- of the 'c'arriagfeis toned by means of any suitable device, until the frame has reached the proper position. Pins 56 or the like disposed on the carriage and servingas holds for bearings placed on the top of the towers. are movable along the carriag so as to permit adjustment of t-hei'nselves; in relation to said bearin s according as the. carriage assumes an in c-hnedposition. The carriage 58 stands with is wheels 3"? upon the tree ofthe frame. A supporting frame 59- is built within said frame and-- slidable up and down between guides 60. Bearings 61 are fixed to the supporting frame 59' to catch the pins on the carriage 58 when the sup o-rting frame 59 is raised. Bars: 62 are fixer to the lower end of the supporting frame; 59-f0r the purpose of preventing the supporting frame, from being moved out of the guides whenraised'. The frame 22 is hanging in the cables 64 which run overrollfers 65'to the Windlass 66 here they are fastened. The cables 64 also run over rollers 67 in the frame 22- to the lower ends of the supporting frame 59 to which they are fastened. T e W nd as 66, Fig. .7 consistsoftwo cable .ment of the. frame 22: both cable drums. have to. be connected to the shaft and the supporting frame. 59; connected to the frame 22 by means of a bolt- 69. If on the other hand the. supporting frame 59. is to be used for raising or sloping the carriage 58 the frame 22. should be connected to the fixed iron structure 71 by pushing a bolt into said structure and then releasing the bolt 69. If the cable drums 72 now are being rotated the supporting; frame 59 will move upwards catch the pins 56 and raise the carriage 58. slopii a the carriage 58 only that drum 7:2 isto; be rotated: which has to. raise the corresponding end of the carriage, while the rollers 37 at the opposite end of the carriage support the carriage upon the tracks of the frame and: are able to. roll upon the tracks during the sloping movement. An electro magnetic brake is provided on the shaft 73, Fig. 7, for the purpose of preventing the flame 22 from coming down through a faulty unbolting. A brake disc 79' is mounted on the shaft 73 with brake blocks 78 which hold the brake disc fast during the state of rest. If the motor 75 is energized themagnet T6 separates the blocks 78 and the brake disc 79 With the shaft 73 can rotate. Should the motor become, tie-energized the counterweight 77. will tighten the brake blocks $8 to the brake disc. and thereby pre vent the frame 22 from falling down. The same operation may be eifected for setting up ways or the like leading down into. the lower area. At the ends the carriages may be provided with vertically adj stable wheels 57, Figure 3-, by means of wh 1 the carriages Without the use of rails may be moved in any direction on the stage floor; said device being suitable for thearrangement of bridpos extending; across a river, streets or the like passing parallel to the proscenium opening, the bridge thus. being adapted to be placed in the. direction of length of the stage.

By means of this invention the following scene-shifting; may be effected:

1. By the aid of the frame 26 on a level with the upper area;

2; raising a frame out of the lower area; I

3. By means of two carriages out of the lateral compartments l. By carriages moved from the rear coinpartments towards the proscenium opening;

5. By carriages moved" from the lateral compartments of the lower area to the frames and raising the latter to the normal stage level;

'6. By carriages moved from the rear compartment of the lower area to the frames and raising the latter;

7 By carriages from the fore compartment of the lower area to the frames and raising the latter;

8. By jacks supporting the carriages.

Consequently, before the commencement of the performance 7 greater and 13 minor scene arrangements may be prepared. Besides the 8 scene-shiftings stated above the scenes may be shifted by changing the carriages, which may be used in case of forest scenes, mountain scenes and apartments. The changes may beefi'ected by a carriage situated near the proscenium-opening being moved to a lateral compartment and, by means of rail crossings, moved to the rails of another carriage. The latter carriage is brought forward tothe proscenium-opening, the other carriage then being moved from the lateral. compartmentrbehind the first named carriage, the scene thus being shifted. Should no latered compartments be dis posed. on a levelwith the stage-floor, such changes may be efiected by means of the frames I If desired, the devices 4L2enabling the passage of the carriages into and out of the lateral compartments may be automatically movable in such manner, that they turn aside by the action of the frames, on the passage of the parts 48 of the latter, and then reassume their prior position. Such automatically movable parts may also be disposed on the frames.

WVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In combination with a stage floor composed of carriages adapted to be raised and lowered, frames supporting the carriages, the'latter being movable laterally in relation to said frames, means adapted to raise and lower the frames, supplementary compartments provided on a level with the stage floor, a lower area below the stage level, supplementary compartments provided in said lower area, the carriages being movable into and out of the supplementary compartments, guiding means supporting the carriages when moving into and out of the compartments, said guiding means being movable into and out of the path of movement of the carriages.v

2. In combination with a stage floor composed of carriages adapted to be raised and lowered, frames supporting the carriages, the latter being movable laterally in relation to said frames and guiding means supporting the carriages, when moving laterally,

said 'guidingmeans being movable into and out of the path of movement of the car riages.

3. In combination with a'stage floor composed of carriages adapted to be raised and lowered, frames bearing up the carriages, the latter being movable laterally 1n relatlon to said frames, and supportsplaced on the frames and adjustable in vertical direction,

said supports, being adapted to support the said carriages.

,4. In combination with a stage floor composed of carriages adapted to be raised and lowered, frames bearing up the carriages,

the latter being movable laterally in relation 7 tosaid frames, means adapted to'raise and lower the frames, supplementary compart 'ments provided on a level with the stage floor, a lower area below the stage level, supplementary compartments provided in said lower area, the carriages being movable into and out of said supplementary compartments and supports placed on the frames and adjustable in vertical direction, said supports being adapted to support the carriages. V

5. In combination with a stage floor composed of carriages adapted to be raised and lowered, frames bearing .up the carriages,

the latter being movable laterally in relation to said frames, means adapted to raise and lowerthe frames, supplementary compartments provided on a level with the stage floor, a lower area below the stage level, supplementary compartments provided in said lower area, the carriages being movable into and out of said supplementary compart ments, supports placed on the frames and comprising telescopically sliding parts adapted to support one end of the carriages so as to enable themto incline relatively to the stage floor.

r 6. 'In combination with a stage floor composed of carriages adapted to be raised and lowered a proscenium opening, frames supporting the carriages, the latter being movable laterally in relation to said frames, means adapted to raise and lower the frames, supporting means placed on the frames and adapted to support the carriages,

lower the frames, supplementary compartments provided on a level with the stage floor, a lower area below the stage level, sup plementa-ry. compartments provided in said lower area, the carriages being movable into and out of the supplementary compartments, and inclined guides for the carriages in the supplementary compartments of the lower area enabling the carriage-s to assume inclined positions.

. 8. In combination with a stage floor comwith a stage floor com- 115 posed of carriages adapted to be raised and placed on the frames and constructed as lowered, frames bearing up the carriages, towers, guiding means for the carriages at the latter being movable laterally, in relathe top of said towers, and lifting means tion to said frames, means adapted to raise connected with the frames and adapted to 15 5 and lower the frames, supplementary comactuate said towers.

partments provided on a level with the stage In testimony whereof I afiix my signature floor, a lower area below the stage level, supin presence of two witnesses.

plementary compartments provided in said MAX HASAIT. lower area, the carriages being movable into l Vitnesses: 10 and out of said supplementary compart- HANS SOHWABE,

ments, and vertically movable supports FRITZ SOHWABE. 

